Diary of a Female Muay Thai Boxer in Training

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

I hate to say that I am finished training tomorrow (Fri). I decided to spend a week doing some sightseeing, or go to a beach for a week before I go to Canada. I am so broke after travelling for over two months. It'll be so hard to get used to not being here. I really have gotten used to working so hard, and training like a maniac. I'll be doing Muay Thai when I get back to Canada, no doubt about that. I've already been in contact with a gym who has group classes. I took some pics today, of the people that have had an impact on me while here at Fairtex. I've had the most amazing experience in the last three weeks, I'll never forget it.

This is me with Mac, who works in the weight room. I usually see him twice a day, and he is really motivating. He's also a great salsa dancer, as I've done aerobics in his class. I'll miss him. I worked so hard on Wednesday. Today (Thur), I was exhausted. I couldn't get up to train. I think I overdid it. I went to the weight room on Wed. night, and trained chest and back. I felt like a weight this morning.

I did a record breaking 5 rounds on Wednesday morning and afternoon. My trainer is so awesome. That is a pic of Roen (trainer), and I in the ring on Wednesday, about to start boxing.Let's kick some ass!

Monday, May 12, 2008

I started off the week with a bang of doing five rounds, and today was a great motivator as well. My trainer was sick this morning, so I asked another trainer to train me. He was awesome! My trainer usually just does the basic techniques like knees, kicks, elbows, and punches. He works a lot on my fitness conditioning. This new trainer taught me new moves, like upper cut, elbow blocks, knee blocks, and a few other things. It was really intense, but I also liked it better. It seemed more interesting, and also hugely motivating. I caught on really fast, as I usually do with things like that.

I asked my new trainer if I could work out with him tomorrow. He said, 'sure,' so that is great news. To me the way I trained today, is real Muay Thai boxing. He pretended to hit me, (he did), and I had to learn how to defend myself. This is great self defence practice.

Today, I will go to the Big C, to get more yogurt, and water. I feel extremely strong this week, because it is my third week. I got a foot massage last night here at Fairtex, because my right foot really aches after I kick with it. I may have to get it X-rayed when I get back to Canada to see what the problem is with it.

I'll go to Khao San road this Friday night, and stay overnight there on Friday and Saturday. It is my birthday and I want to party all weekend (try and stay light on the booze though).

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Sad to see the weekend is over. I had the best time on Saturday night. I met up with a Thai friend, and a few other people for dinner, and dancing on Saturday night. I did some clothes shoppping on Khao San Road on Saturday, th en met up with Gift on Saturday evening. We had dinner at a British restaurant, and then met up with a few others that I met a few weeks ago at an Ajarn party. We ended up at an Irish bar, and danced the night away to a live band. It was really fun. I slept at Gift's house, and she ended up making me a nice lunch on Sunday.

It was great to get away for awhile from Fairtex. I thought I'd be shit, in the ring today, but I actually did Five rounds this morning. I was dead after the fourth, but pushed myself to do just one more round. It was nice to hear compliments from my friends on the weekend. I know that I have lost weight, and inches, but it feels good to hear it from others too. I am planning on staying two more weeks. I feel like I could really work hard in the next two weeks to see even more results.

This weekend is my birthday. I am planning on going out with the same Thai friend, this weekend. We will probably go to the same bar too. I am hoping to stay in a hotel on Friday night, so that my friend doesn't have to drink and drive. It'll be nice to do at least something for my birthday - especially in Thailand!

I hope to come back to Thailand next year. I said, that I want to visit Koh Chang in the future, hopefully with my Thai friend. I also hope to get my Padi open water, to be able to scuba dive, the next time I'm in Thailand.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

It is hard to believe that two weeks has passed. Today is Saturday, and I will rest this afternoon and tomorrow. I am currently in Bangkok meeting up with some friends. I did some major shopping on Khao San road. I bought the cutest little pair of Muay Thai boxing shorts in pink for my little niece. I will have to buy some pink ones too, so we will match.

Yesterday, I felt sick all day. I had a sore stomach, and only trained in the morning. I went and did weights last night though. I've been doing weights for a week and a half now. I train arms, and shoulders one day, and back and chest on the following day. I am feeling stronger in the ring by the day. My trainer said, that I have improved so much. I tried all my clothes on last night that I had custom made in Vietnam. I laughed because I'm thinking once I get back to Canada, I'll have to get them taken in.

I've moved into a single room at Fairtex, which is so nice to have the privacy. My room is directly across from the pool, so I've been majorly working on my tan. The weather is good for tanning. I've decided that I will stay for four weeks instead of three. I think another two weeks will do me wonders. Two more weeks then back to Canada to see the family. I am soo excited to see them after almost a year and a half being away from them.

This morning I did three rounds of four minutes in the ring. I also have been doing a half an hour on the bicycle in the morning before training, and a half an hour in the afternoon on the bicycle. In total I am doing an hour of cardio plus the boxing which adds up to another half an hour. Today, I didn't wrap my hands, and I hurt my knuckles on my right hand. I hope it heals quickly.

I'm glad to be out of Fairtex for a day and a half. There is soo much male testosterone it isn't funny. I seemed to get hit on by one guy in particular, but it is kind of creepy. Today he asked if I wanted to go in the room with him and his friend. He said he was joking, but I don't know about that. He also has said a few other things. It is such a small space at Fairtex, so it is hard to avoid him, or anyone else for that matter. I usually tell him to be nice, or to go to hell, which seems to work for awhile.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

It is hard to believe that it is Day 9. I feel exhausted today, and have a sore foot. When I got in an accident in Vietnam, the motorcycle landed on my foot, and my foot has been tender ever since. Since I started kicking with it, I have been in pain. Today moreso than other days. I'll have to rest this afternoon.

Last night was awesome! I went to see a real Muay Thai boxing fight at Lumphini Stadium in Bangkok. We had front row seats. I took tons of pictures. Although, I don't like violence, I still somewhat enjoyed watching the same moves and techniques that I am learning. I liked how close to the fifth round, everyone was cheering, and the live band plays the music louder and more intense. I also liked the beginning before they fight, when they parade around the ring, with their get up on, and for some reason they all wear bright pink boxing gloves - even the men. I laughed about that, thinking only in Thailand would you see that!

I feel tired today though. I went to bed later than usual last night, but it was worth it. I also went shopping yesterday at Central City. It is a huge shopping mall. I bought a lot of shirts, and enjoyed trying clothes on for once. I actually am starting to notice a difference in my shape. I also have a great tan. I keep thinking that a few more weeks of this will do me good. I feel dead today for some reason. I did do an intense training session this morning. I did thirty minutes on the bike, and four rounds in the boxing ring. The heat is also a killer. It is soo friggin hot out, I find it draining.

Yesterday, I picked up my new Fairtex shorts, that I had custom designed for moi. It has the Fairtex logo on them, plus I got the writing of Muay Thai in Thai on the front, with my name in red and white trim (Canadian colors of course). I also bought a pair of red boxing gloves.

I can't post too much now, as It is time for me to go and work out. Unfortunately, I can't get my laptop up and running here, so I haven't been able to get pictures on here. I hope this weekend I can get to a wireless cafe, and post the pics from last night.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Today is a rest day. No training today. It felt funny being able to sleep in. I slept till around 8am, which is two hours more than I am used to. I slept like a baby last night, I was so dead tired.

Today I went to get some yogurt, fruit, boiled peanuts, water chestnuts, and water from the 'Big C.' Then I spent most of the afternoon lying by the pool, and swimming. My friend arrived last evening, and we had a lot to chat about, considering she just came from Vietnam. Today, I watched her do some boxing in the ring. She kicks really well, but she has also done some training previously in Melbourne, Australia where she is from.

I'm hoping that it isn't too difficult to get to sleep tonight, or get up at 6am tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to another week of this training. I really notice a difference already. I've lost some weight, and inches. I'll weigh myself tomorrow.

Yesterday, I started doing weights, and hope to keep this up in the upcoming weeks. I miss doing weights, as I used to workout a lot in the past. I became lazy being in Korea for a year. I'm now hoping to continue doing this Muay Thai boxing wherever I go. I've heard that it is such a world-wide sport now.

Last night, Heather and I, watched the movie, 'Juno' that ended up being really good and funny. It was nice to just sit and watch a movie. A few of the guys joined us later, and we had a few laughs.

Friday, May 2, 2008

I had the hardest time getting up this morning. It feels weird working out on a Saturday. I did half hour on the stationary bike at 630am this morning, then three rounds of 3 minute boxing with one minute rest between sets. After training, I did sit-ups, and swam some laps in the pool. I feel dead today. I'm hoping it gets easier and not harder as time goes on.

Tomorrow is a rest day. Yay! My body so desperately needs it. My trainer told me that I'm losing weight, and I feel it already. I was watching the Fairtex dvd last night, that they give out to people who are thinking of coming here. Fairtex has a long history. I was also reading that Jack Osbourne - son of Ozzy Osbourne, trained here for three weeks, and lost like 20 pounds. He also did a week detox beforehand to lose some weight before coming here. After three weeks he fought and knocked out a thai boxer in three rounds (some say it was staged).

My friend that told me about this place arrives today. It'll be nice to see her. I'm thinking of going to get a tan by the pool in a few minutes..ah this life is sweet. A lot of people from this camp go out on Saturday night, and then they come back on Sunday night some hungover. I definitely don't want to drink while I'm here. Although, I may check out Central City Mall - Bang-Na on Sunday with Heather.